Tag Archives: property for sale in Canford Cliffs

Winter in Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset has arrived, although we are yet to see a magical snow-scene this year, as pictured below. In this blog we consider what 2014 holds for property, as seen by the local property experts. The local property market is beginning to move and you should consider your options soon if you are thinking of buying or selling in this beautiful part of coastal Dorset.

To set the scene, there are just under 2,000 homes in Canford Cliffs and last year (September figures are in from the Land Registry), 58 of them have changed hands – that’s just under 3%; low historically but, interestingly, the number of higher value transactions is increasing and the “domino effect” of consequential moves within the area, (where local buyers jump on the opportunity to pick up a house they’ve had their eyes on, following a sale) is becoming more apparent once more. Something has shifted – and the pundits are probably right in claiming that the financing available at the bottom end of the market is gradually unlocking the logjam which has stifled the middle and upper markets.

Canford Cliffs is primarily a family and retiree’s residential market. Convenience for shopping, access to the beaches, peace and quiet and the provision of services – schools, clubs and transport – are the watchwords for buyers. You will find (November 2013) apartments for sale from £160,000 to £2.5 million and houses from c. £500,000 up to grand mansions of nearly £4 million. So, there’s a large choice, depending of course upon your budget and taste, whether that is for a Saunders bungalow, of which there are still several or a contemporary super-home, of which there are a few, as well as potential sites for them.

This is the time of year when people start researching what they might want to achieve within the next 12 months – have the family finally really fled the nest? do we need to change schools? will I need to change my job? retire? downsize? should we go for single-level living (bungalow of flat)? It’s important when to move; should we improve the kitchen / bathroom before we market? should we agree to buy something before putting our own on the market ? should we move into rental while searching, having once sold ? and that’s before even considering the dynamics of the property market – will it continue ever upwards or will politically inspired jitters take hold as the election timetable draws nearer ? and that’s all before facing up to the costs of such a move – legal fees, estate agent fees , and even worse than that Stamp Duty for buyers.

The table below shows average price decreases (notable for houses rather than apartments) that are indicative of more local market activity generally. In the £700,000 plus price band, the number of flats for sale is increasing, but the number of houses for sale is declining, making it harder for families to find the right home.

Canford Cliffs House Price Data 2013

It’s not just objective advice that’s needed when thinking about buying or selling a home, as well as the “helping hand”. You need to trust your advisors; to feel that they know what they are talking about and not just giving you second-hand, potted (or potty!) advice. The earlier Berkeleys can encourage you to talk to us, the better we’ll be able to assist – we have the information and the experience. Just call us.

In 2013, Berkeleys achieved many extremely successful sales for clients in Lawrence Drive, Cliff Drive, Martello Park and Haven Road, Canford Cliffs to name but a few.

If you choose to sell your home through Berkeleys this year, once we are appointed, we’ll take care of matters. We advertise extensively locally and we market nationally, as well as on all the usual internet property portals. That really is what is needed – exposure to as wide an audience as possible. We put in real effort and we don’t just sit back, relax and wait for buyers, once we’ve got your instructions. We’ve had considerable success with both national and international press and PR in digital media.

If you are planning to let or rent in the New Year, it is also timely to mention that we have established a premium lettings and management service from our Haven Road office. Premium long term lettings are a growing market sector, and Berkeleys now offers a lettings and property management service across coastal Poole, Dorset.

The team here, led by Pippa Sole, our Branch Partner, would be delighted to come and see you to discuss your next move. So call us soon let us help you make your next move a successful one.